For the surfing legend, the Portuguese town of Nazaré is more than just a place to catch record-breaking waves: it’s a great destination for food, views and relaxation
• Do you know Nazaré? What other surf spots would you recommend along this coast? Add a tip in the comments
American surfer Garrett McNamara travels around the world chasing big waves. But there’s one place that keeps drawing him back: Nazaré on Portugal’s Atlantic coast. The seaside resort, 75 miles north of Lisbon, is where he set a new world record in 2011, surfing a 90ft wave, and where he claimed to have broken his own record in January 2013, catching a 100ft wave. But Nazaré is more than just a surfing hotspot for him: he married his American wife there, at the chapel on the cliffs overlooking Praia do Norte (north beach).
His love of the town is reciprocated. Everywhere he goes he’s greeted with open arms and kisses from the restaurant owner to the fishermen and the old ladies of the town in their traditional costume. One restaurant has even created a McNamara menu. Here he reveals his favourite places in the town and along its coast.
Continue reading...